NFL mock draft: Whom will your team take?

April 24, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Heisman Trophy finalists Trent Richardson, Robert Griffin IIII and Andrew Luck will hear their names called early Thursday in the 2012 NFL draft. Michael Lev and Earl Bloom of ocregister.com, making alternating selections, forecast the first round for you in a mock draft. Click on the photo to see it, pick by pick. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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1. Indianapolis: Stanford QB Andrew Luck

Lev says: Last season was miserable for the Colts, but in reality, they “lucked” out: By finishing with the worst record in the league, Indianapolis earned the right to draft Peyton Manning 2.0. Luck is Manning-esque, but with superior athleticism. If you don't believe me, just ask USC. Luck went 3-0 against the Trojans, and how many QBs can say that? PHOTO BY DONALD MIRALLE, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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2. Washington: Baylor QB Robert Griffin III

Bloom says: No suspense here. The Redskins paid a high price to the St. Louis Rams to move up for the Heisman Trophy winner, who'd better be the answer to Mike Shanahan's search for a passer to fit his scheme in D.C. Trivia: The last Heisman winners drafted by Washington were UCLA QB Gary Beban (1967) and Michigan WR Desmond Howard (1992). PHOTO BY SARAH GLENN, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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3. Minnesota: USC OT Matt Kalil

Lev says: Some debate in the war room between Kalil and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Both play positions the Vikings desperately need. Ultimately, it comes down to supporting the risky investment Minnesota made last season when it selected QB Christian Ponder with the 12th pick. Kalil can be his blind-side protector for the next decade. CB and WR needs can be addressed later. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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4. Cleveland: Alabama RB Trent Richardson

Bloom says: There's no QB near the value of the champion Crimson Tide's workhorse, who has star quality. Pat Shurmur can build his offense around Richardson, while developing Colt McCoy. One warning to Browns fans, though; Shurmur, while Rams OC, gave Steven Jackson the ball only 11 times against Seattle in a 2010 game to decide a playoff spot. PHOTO BY RONALD MARTINEZ, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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5. Tampa Bay: LSU CB Morris Claiborne

Lev says: If Minnesota takes Claiborne, this becomes a really interesting pick. If the Vikings take Kalil, it's a slam dunk. Claiborne is the top cornerback in the 2012 class, and Tampa Bay plays in a division loaded with star quarterbacks and receivers. One of the Bucs' starting corners, Ronde Barber, is almost as old as Earl. PHOTO BY JOE MURPHY, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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6. St. Louis: Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon

Bloom says: New coach Jeff Fisher makes noise about Richardson and Claiborne, but he settles for a No. 1 WR for Sam Bradford, who will be cheering when Blackmon displays his run-after-catch skills. Rams fans will be happy, too, once they see Blackmon in the end zone, where he lived as a Cowboy. Fisher already has Rams all-time rushing leader Steven Jackson with mileage left, and the ex-Tennessee coach spent $50 million on ex-Titans CB Cortland Finnegan. PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN PETERSEN, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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7. Jacksonville: South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram

Lev says: Once Blackmon went off the board at No. 6, the decision came down to two South Carolina products – Ingram or cornerback Stephon Gilmore. I say the Jaguars go with the undersized pass rusher after years of being tortured by one in their division, Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney. Freeney is 6-1, 268; Ingram is 6-1½, 264. PHOTO BY ANDY LYONS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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8. Miami: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill

Bloom says: New Dolphins OC Mike Sherman was his Aggies head coach, and Tannehill knows the West Coast system as well as any QB with only 19 college starts could. The former WR, who led Texas A&M in receiving as a freshman, is a super athlete with wonderful QB potential. Maybe Matt Moore can hold the fort and buy him some time, although Dolphins fans have long since lost their patience at the position. Dan Marino retired a long time ago. PHOTO BY DARREN CAROLL, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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9. Carolina: Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox

Lev says: Tempting to add more pieces around Cam Newton, but it's the other side of the ball that needs fixing. Cox has soared up draft boards after leaving school as a true junior. Pro Football Weekly compares the scheme-diverse Cox to Vikings five-time All-Pro Kevin Williams, who went in the very same spot nine years ago. PHOTO BY BUTCH DILL, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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10. Buffalo: Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly

Bloom says: An NCAA tackle machine for the past three years, he joins $100 million free-agent defensive end Mario Williams to help give the Bills a big-time upgrade to their front seven. Some project Kuechly to slide all the way to No. 32, as Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers did to No. 26 in his draft, if he isn't taken 9 or 10. Not this reporter, who has always liked Chan Gailey as a coach. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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11. Kansas City: Stanford OG David DeCastro

Lev says: I was fully expecting to snatch Kuechly here to pair with fellow ILB Derrick Johnson. But when Buffalo took him, it was on to Plan B. DeCastro is one of the surest bets in this draft, and he fills a need for the Chiefs. Peyton Hillis and Jamaal Charles are going to love running behind him. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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12. Seattle: South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore

Bloom says: When what you want isn't there, always go SEC and go value. That's what Pete Carroll does here, taking the Gamecocks corner instead of another Notre Dame WR (Michael Floyd), or one of the many edge rushers available, since the ex-USC coach is so finicky with his DEs. Gilmore runs 4.40, was first-team All-SEC, and started 40 games the past three years. He is a vocal team leader who can step right into an NFL defense and make plays. PHOTO BY STREETER LECKA, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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13. Arizona: Stanford TE Coby Fleener

Lev says: The biggest curveball in our draft so far. The Cardinals definitely need a complement for Larry Fitzgerald, but I'm not sold on Floyd this early. Enter the fleet, 6-foot-6 Fleener, who isn't quite the athlete Jimmy Graham is but isn't far behind. (In case you're wondering after my third Cardinal selection, I'm not a Stanford alum. I went to Northwestern – you know, the Stanford of the Midwest.) PHOTO BY MIKE EHRMANN, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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14. Dallas: LSU DL Michael Brockers

Bloom says: He fits the Chris Canty mold, a 3-4 run-stuffer DE who would be a DT in a 4-3. Brockers leaves LSU as a redshirt sophomore, so he's a very much a work in progress, albeit one from a great program. His pass rush needs work, but DeMarcus Ware can cover for him there, as long as Brockers can help keep the offensive linemen off the linebackers. Marcus Spears, a 2005 No. 1 defensive end from LSU, can help show Brockers the ropes in Texas. PHOTO BY JOE MURPHY, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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15. Philadelphia: Alabama S Mark Barron

Lev says: The Eagles' war room erupted in cheers and high-fives when Dallas passed on Barron; Andy Reid was so excited, he chest-bumped owner Jeffrey Lurie (actually more of a belly-bump, but I digress). The Eagles missed Brian Dawkins the minute they parted ways with him. They finally find his successor in the Nick Saban-trained Barron. PHOTO BY BUTCH DILL, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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16. N.Y. Jets: Iowa T Riley Reiff

Bloom says: That annoying hole at right tackle will be in the good, strong hands of this powerful young man from a great offensive-line factory. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, often mentioned as an NFL HC candidate, recruits and coaches the OL better than any other position. You really can't go wrong with an ex-Hawkeye clearing the way for backs, or protecting your QB. Reiff (6-6) is a top-10 value, IMO, for Coach Rex Ryan, who might like the alliteration, too. PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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17. Cincinnati: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd

Lev says: This is about the right range for Floyd, who struggled against USC CB Nickell Robey last season but excelled against just about everybody else. Like Minnesota's pick of Kalil, the theme here is to re-invest in your young quarterback. With A.J. Green on one side, Floyd on the other, Jordan Shipley in the slot and Jermaine Gresham working the middle, Andy Dalton is surrounded by weapons. PHOTO BY MICHAEL CONROY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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18. San Diego: Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower

Bloom says: A great college football player who not only is a plug-in-and-play type, he can play any linebacker position, and maybe even DE in a 4-3, although the latter doesn't apply in San Diego. Hightower anchored the middle of a great Crimson Tide defense that won a national title, and he'll step right into the Chargers lineup wherever the need is greatest. In a few years he, too, will likely learn to loath GM A.J. Smith, but that's a story for later, when Hightower's second contract comes up. PHOTO BY KEVIN C. COX, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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19. Chicago: North Carolina DE Quinton Coples

Lev says: A risk-reward pick, but the talented, underachieving Coples couldn't find a better landing spot. He will be paired with another former Tar Heel, Julius Peppers, who instantly will become his mentor, showing Coples the value of working hard and playing hard all the time. New Bears GM Phil Emery showed he's a gambler by acquiring problematic WR Brandon Marshall earlier in the offseason. PHOTO BY GEOFF BURKE, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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20. Tennessee: Memphis DT Dontari Poe

Bloom says: No, I've never seen a faster 346-pound man, and TE-ILB speed for a down lineman can only be passed up so many times before the in-state team grabs it. Poe ran a 4.98 40 and benched 225 pounds 44 times at the NFL combine, and has freakish skills for his size. The Titans will probably play him inside, but he could've been a DE or NT in a 3-4 as well. Poe only has to move to the other side of the state, and will become a fixture in the Titans front for years. Not bad for a two-star recruit out of HS. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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21. Cincinnati: Georgia OG Cordy Glenn

Lev says: Another rift in the war room. Thought long and hard about Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick but decided to beef up the interior of the line with Glenn instead. Stout OL play is an absolute must when you play Baltimore and Pittsburgh twice apiece. Glenn is a massive man (6-5¾, 345) with huge potential if sufficiently motivated. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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22. Cleveland: Baylor WR Kendall Wright

Bloom says: At last, a deep threat to take the top off the defense for the Browns' once-boring and non-productive offense, which already got a boost with my pick of Richardson at No. 4. Wright and Heisman winner RG3 were quite a big-play combination as Bears, but Wright goes to a team with a much better defense, and might win a few more games than his ol' QB to start. Ex-Ram Donnie Avery was a good fit for Pat Shurmur in St. Louis before he got hurt. Wright is a very similar player, one who can at least run clearouts so McCoy can work underneath. PHOTO BY RONALD MARTINEZ, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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23. Detroit: Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick

Lev says: If this happens – and I'm not sure I believe it will – the Lions will be absolutely ecstatic. Cornerback is by far their No. 1 need after they lost Eric Wright in free agency to Tampa Bay. In order to dethrone reigning NFC North king Green Bay, Detroit must upgrade its porous pass defense, which ranked 22nd in the league last season. PHOTO BY GREG MCWILLIAMS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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24. Pittsburgh: Wisconsin C-OG Peter Konz

Bloom says: Beleaguered Ben Roethlisberger needs help anywhere along the offensive line where he can get it. Konz (6-5, 314) was the center for the Badgers, but he has enough size, skill, and smarts to fill either guard spot in Pittsburgh. Wisconsin is a lot like Iowa when it comes to producing NFL offensive linemen; the Badgers churn them out, in quantity and with quality. Injuries were a problem for Konz in college, and he missed the combine because of an ankle problem. But if the Steelers can keep him on the field, he's going to do very well alongside C Maurkice Pouncey. PHOTO BY JAMIE SABAU, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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25. Denver: Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy

Lev says: Had Fleener been on the board at this point, he would have been the pick, giving Peyton Manning a Dallas Clark-esque weapon. Instead, the Broncos go with a defensive tackle who fits nicely in John Fox's 4-3 scheme. It wouldn't surprise me if, in reality, Denver selected a cornerback; Champ Bailey will be 34 in June. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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26. Houston: Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler

Bloom says: When I watch the Badgers, I watch their offensive and defensive linemen more than any of the so-called skill positions, because I like what they turn out. In other words, if the Texans loved DE J.J. Watt last year, they'll love Zeitler. I saw a lot of Zeitler alongside Konz, and I very much liked with I saw. Zeitler (6-4, 314) was mostly a guard for Wisconsin, and a smash-mouth road blocker. But he could play right tackle if need be in the NFL, and the way injuries are, with most teams dressing only seven O-linemen, that versatility can be vital. PHOTO BY JAMIE SABAU, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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27. New England: Alabama DE-OLB Courtney Upshaw

Lev says: It's high time the Patriots addressed their front seven after ranking next to last in pass defense last season. Upshaw comes with some character concerns, but that hasn't stopped Bill Belichick in the past. There's also some question about what position Upshaw (6-1 5/8, 272) should play. Again, no problem for Belichick, who loves versatile football players. PHOTO BY MICHAEL CONROY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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28. Green Bay: Boise State OLB-DE Shea McClellin

Bloom says: Former USC LB star Clay Matthews should bounce back from a down (by his standards) season, and McClellin's arrival should help by diverting some of the blocking quicker than you can say, “Discount double-check.” McClellin, a fifth-year senior with a ton of experience, played both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Broncos. He's added 12 pounds, to 260, in case the Packers, or another team, want him to play with a hand on the ground. However he aligns, though, McClellin will get after the passer. PHOTO BY DOUG PENSINGER, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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29. Baltimore: Syracuse DE Chandler Jones

Lev says: NFL Network's Mike Mayock, whose opinions I trust more than most, ranks Jones as the No. 9 overall prospect in this draft. So he might not last this long. If he does, he's a perfect fit for the Ravens, who need more big bodies for their 3-4 front. Jones has ideal dimensions to play in the scheme at 6-5 3/8 and 266 pounds. PHOTO BY OTTO GREULE, JR., GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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30. San Francisco: North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins

Bloom says: Carlos Rogers finally realized his great cornerback potential when he left the Redskins to join the 49ers. He might have to serve as mentor for Jenkins, a transfer from Florida with a bad history off the field, but no lack of talent whatsoever. Two marijuana arrests and one for a bar fight are red flags, and Jenkins really seemed to lose his focus at Florida when Urban Meyer left the Gators. Jenkins, who had a clean season at Division II North Alabama, needs to get serious about his profession, since he's reportedly fathered four children with three different women. At age 23, that's pressure. PHOTO BY JOE ROBBINS, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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31. New England: USC DE-OLB Nick Perry

Lev says: Do you know how many passing yards New England allowed last season? Try 4,703. (Somehow, Green Bay surrendered more.) So despite taking Upshaw with the 27th pick, the Patriots select another front-seven performer in Perry, who's among this draft's best pure pass rushers. (Of course, the Pats being the Pats, they're bound to use one of their first-round picks to trade down.) PHOTO BY ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, TEXT BY MICHAEL LEV, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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32. N.Y. Giants: WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

Bloom says: With the last pick of the first round, the Super Bowl champions not only replace departed Mario Manningham (a San Francisco 49ers free-agent signee), they finally replace the tall, red-zone target of their other SB triumph, Plaxico Burress. Hill is 6-4 and can get deep, which should thrill Eli Manning. Hill did not get overworked at run-happy Georgia Tech, but that didn't seem to bother another Yellow Jacket WR named Calvin Johnson. If Hill is only half as good as Johnson, that makes him a productive No. 3 receiver on a very good team. Short corners will be absolutely terrified when he's on the field with giant Hakeem Nicks and athletic, big-play man Victor Cruz. PHOTO BY KEVIN C. COX, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Heisman Trophy finalists Trent Richardson, Robert Griffin IIII and Andrew Luck will hear their names called early Thursday in the 2012 NFL draft. Michael Lev and Earl Bloom of ocregister.com, making alternating selections, forecast the first round for you in a mock draft. Click on the photo to see it, pick by pick.ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS, TEXT BY EARL BLOOM, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

So there was no mock manipulation here, resulting in players fitting neatly into certain spots. Michael had no idea whom Earl would take, and vice versa. Every pick depended on the ones before it, and neither drafter had any idea whom the other would select – just like the real thing.

One difference between this mock draft and the real draft is that we did not project any trades. There are bound to be several, but that would have made things too complicated.

Meanwhile, here's Earl's overview of this year's draft:

The strength of the 2012 draft is in the offensive line and the defensive front seven, particularly in edge rushers. Fifteen years ago, USC's Matt Kalil would have been the safe No. 1 pick, unless you truly believed Andrew Luck is the next Peyton Manning.

Quarterbacks have been taken far too soon in recent years and thrown to the wolves. In drafts not that long ago, teams could stumble upon a Tom Brady in the late rounds. Now, it seems anyone with a passer's chance of making it gets moved up, and then rushed, literally and figuratively.

One result is a de-emphasis on first-round running backs, although Alabama's Trent Richardson will be an early exception this year. Oregon's LaMichael James, who might last until the third round, should have proved against a physical Wisconsin team in the Rose Bowl that he could be an every-down NFL back, and a home-run hitter, to boot. The Badgers, with the exceptions of the top-tier SEC teams, are the closest to an NFL squad any college player might face.

Before we begin our mock draft, let's address the phenomenon of sliders. Boston College's Luke Kuechly is the best inside linebacker on the board, but one mock has him taking an Aaron Rodgers luge ride to the No. 32 pick, if Kuechly is not taken by No. 9. This would, no doubt, thrill New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

Things such as this, in draft world, are almost incomprehensible, but very real.

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